Opportunity Party MP Erald Kapri has reacted sharply to the discussions among the opposition on the new Electoral Code, declaring that the political force he represents will not become part of the "political bargains" between the Democratic Party and the majority.
Guest on the show "This Week" on News24, Kapri commented on the agreement between the DP and "Albania Becomes" on several points of electoral reform, emphasizing that any negotiations with Prime Minister Edi Rama are to the detriment of the opposition.
"We are not part of political bargaining. What is the point of going to a table and the leader of the DP making bargains with Edi Rama? We do not do this. Any bargaining with Rama is to the detriment of the opposition," he declared.
Kapri brought up the opposition in Hungary as an example, mentioning Peter Magyar, who he said achieved political success because he did not enter into an agreement with former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
"Magyar won in Hungary because he didn't sit with Orban. If the opposition sees the whole problem in the electoral system and electoral rules, this is political poverty," he said.
According to the MP, the opposition's focus should not only be on changes to the Electoral Code, but on gaining the trust of citizens.
"The opposition must win the votes and trust of the people. Any attempt to reduce the debate to just the Electoral Code is defeatism," he said.
He also raised suspicions that other political agreements could be hidden behind the negotiations on electoral reform, citing the possibility of constitutional changes that, according to him, could undermine the justice system.
"Why should Rama vote for a code that favors the opposition? He doesn't do it without getting something in return. What if Rama's request to change the Constitution and attack justice is approved? We stay away from this," the MP declared.
In the end, he emphasized that the Opportunity Party is not afraid of any electoral formula and that its battle will remain with the citizens.
"We are not afraid of any electoral system. We are focused only on the votes and trust of Albanians. Nothing else," he concluded.
Kapri revealed that in the discussion with the OSCE ambassador, they expressed that the current system is bad, but what the DP and SP want to do is even worse.
"What we told the ambassador is that the current system we have is bad, but what the DP and the SP want to do is make it even worse. And this is our concern and it seems that they have come together in order to attack new political alternatives. It is not just about us but about any party that may come tomorrow. And we do not become part of any political bargain," he said.
